Zito likely for a Tuesday doubleheader start, while MadBum might be available out of the pen this week

Barry Zito did meet with manager Bruce Bochy to discuss the lefty’s reintroduction into the rotation. Though Bochy said the plans are not firm (or at least firm enough to tell reporters), he did say Zito probably will start during the day or night portion of Tuesday’s doubleheader in Chicago.

Zito pitched a two-hitter for Fresno last night. Bochy said another minor-league rehab game is not in the cards, which is too bad. I think Zito was 4 innings short of qualifying for a minor-league pension.

“He’s coming off a great outing,” Bochy said. “He’s excited he got his pitch count up to 118 and went nine innings. He hasn’t done that in a while. He got better as he went. His curveball was sharp. He got into a groove in the fourth inning and didn’t labor at all.”

I know one of your big questions is who goes when Zito is activated.

I have suspected for a while that the Giants might temporarily go with 13 pitchers for two reasons: They might need the extra arms in the wake of a doubleheader and they have position players with minor-league options.

The Giants really have no pitchers to option, and I don’t think GM Brian Sabean would cut a reliever when he has players with options.

Bochy confirmed that a 13-man staff has been discussed.

Briefly:

— Bochy said Madison Bumgarner might be available out of the bullpen in the next couple of days because he threw only 25 pitches last night. Might be good for the kid mentally to get back on the mound before his next start against Cleveland on national TV Sunday night.

Bochy also left open the possibility that Bumgarner could be inserted into the rotation between now and Sunday to tweak the order, which, in effect, would get Bumgarner out of the ESPN Sunday night game.

— Andres Torres is healthy, but Bochy sat him because he feels the center fielder is pressing like crazy.

— Pablo Sandoval took early batting practice against a curveball machine today to practice staying back on breaking balls. He’s been very jumpy on secondary pitches and getting himself out.